In this article we’re going to be talking about RV internet service using hotspots for RVing and traveling.

You know, when you are at home and you’re connecting up to the internet, and it’s a pretty simple thing. Usually there’s just a couple of internet providers in your area.

So you call up one of them and they come out and they turn you on and hook you up. From there, you’re on the internet and you don’t have to worry about much at all.

That’s because you’re in one place, and they’re in one place, and it all just seems to go pretty smoothly.

But getting RV internet service on the road while you’re traveling, well that’s a whole different challenge.

And for most people, it usually is going to involve getting a cell service signal for getting reliable internet service.

Of course, there are other ways to do it but we’re not going to go into that too much in this article. That’s because the vast majority of RVers are using a cellular service to get access to the internet.

But to do that you’re going to need the right equipment to be able to pull in the signal from cell towers wherever you go.

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Watch my video on RV internet service with high tech hotspots

RV Internet Service – Using A Hotspot

And to make sure that the signal is a strong one, a lot of RVers use what’s called an internet hotspot.

These hotspots come in different varieties and they really are not very big. And they are portable, so they can be taken with you wherever you go.

In fact, even if they’re not connected to 120v home current, they have batteries so that you can still take them with you.

Now these hot spots are dedicated to one thing and one thing only. And that is connecting to a cell tower and getting a data stream from the internet.

They’re really not designed for phone calls at all. It’s a data-only type of device.

So first off, it connects to the cell tower and then sets up a hotspot Wi-Fi in your RV. And then that internet service is available to all the devices in your RV within its range.

The devices can then connect up to it, and therefore to the internet as well. Even your phones can connect that through hotspot. Also tablets, laptops, desktop computers, TVs and more.

But what should you be looking for in a quality RV internet hotspot? Quite frankly, it’s kind of hard to determine because there are so many out there for sale.

And there are so many price ranges too, so what do you choose?

Well, I have had to go through all of this process about looking for hotspot modems for internet service. And I did some research that I wanted to share with you.

RV Internet Service – Understanding Hotspot Modems

One important thing that I would really recommend is try to get the highest category modem in a hotspot you can afford.

Now these RV internet hotspot modems start down around Category 3 and they go up to Category 18 and higher.

So let me give you an idea about the difference in speed as you go up in modem categories.

Category 4 hotspots will usually have about a 150 megabits per second download speed. Category 6 doubles that to 300 megabits per second.

Then Category 9 improves to 450 megabits per second, and Category 18 modems to 1000 megabits per second.

And some of the latest hotspots use Category 18 modems at 1200 megabits per second.

Now let me emphasize something here. Don’t expect these numbers in real-world use.

Instead, it means that it in a lab somewhere they connected up to a signal source that had no other traffic on it. Not like a cell tower that has a lot of people using it at one time.

But what this information does for us is it gives us a way to compare category to category capability for hotspot modems.

So clearly we have Category 4 at 150 megabits per second and we have Category 18 at 1200 megabits per second. Why that’s a pretty serious difference in performance!

Advanced Tech In Modern Hotspots

And another point to understand is that more advanced technology is built into higher category modem hotspots.

For instance, higher category modems can connect to more bands for that particular cell carrier. So what do we mean by that?

Well, cell carriers distribute their signal on more than just one frequency or band. And very often there are multiple bands they will send it out on.

So the more bands that the modem in your hotspot can choose from, the better. That way it can find the band that has the strongest signal from the carrier.

But modern hotspots also can do something called carrier aggregation, which the higher category modems will allow you to use.

This means that it uses more simultaneous connections to the cell tower for a particular carrier.

Then it takes those connections and aggregates them into one data stream. This produces a faster and more reliable cell carrier connection.

These higher category modem hotspots also will have more antennas too. For instance, many modern RV internet hotpots use MIMO technology.

And that term stands for “multiple in – multiple out”. So what does that mean?

Well, the lower category hotspots will only have about two anntennas in them. But the higher category hotspots can have 4 internal antennas instead.

And they can also allow you to have more external antennas too. And that’s a real advantage!

This is because the more ears, or listening devices, that’s pulling in these frequencies or bands the better. And so higher category hotspots give you more antennas to listen to those frequencies.

My RV Internet Service Upgrade

Now, I also have added a second cell carrier to my repertoire for RV internet service. And I did that to make an internet backup for myself, to insure that I always have a good internet connection.

So at the same time that I got this second cellular carrier, I upgraded my hotspot too. This is because I wanted to see whether there is really a difference between hotpots in the real world.

Originally I bought a category 12 Velocity 2 hotspot and that was sufficient in most areas across the country.

But this time I decided to upgrade to a category 16 hotspot modem and see what happens. So I chose the Netgear Nighthawk MR1100 for my upgrade.

Click here to learn more about the Netgear Nighthawk MR1100

So let’s compare the stats between the category 12 Velocity 2 and the category 16 Nighthawk.

Comparing RV Internet Hotspots

Well, the Velocity 2 can access 7 bands in the AT&T network and that’s good. But the Nighthawk can access 11 bands.

Also, the Velocity 2 has 2 internal antennas whereas the Nighthawk has four. And the Nighthawk also has connections to use external antennas on top of that.

The velocity 2 has a limit of about 600 megabits per second download speed. But the Night Hawk has a 1000 megabit per second download speed.

Now once again, this is not real world use. This is just under the best possible circumstances.

But the Velocity 2 can also connect up to 10 devices in the Wi-Fi area in your RV at a time. On the other hand, the Nighthawk can connect up to 20 devices simultaneously.

And finally, the Velocity 2 can maintain about three simultaneous cellular connections at once. But the Nighthawk can maintain 4 connections simultaneously.

So those are all the stats. And clearly, in every category the Nighthawk performs better than the Velocity 2 on paper.

And I’ve got to say that I was surprised and amazed by the real world performance of the Netgear Nighthawk.

In fact, I can get a stronger signal almost anywhere I want to go with the Nighthawk.

My Upgraded Hotspot Modem Performance

Now to prove that, I’m at an RV park right now that is notorious for not being able to get solid internet access from a cell carrier.

And one reason for that is that the park is way away from most large cities. It’s also down in a canyon with mountains surrounding it.

So that’s about the worst internet cell signal situation you can get. And yet, with the Nighthawk I am still able to stream movies and have solid internet signal.

Now of course, I also am using a cell booster as I’ve described in other videos during my stay here. But if I replace the Nighthawk with the Velocity 2, my internet service speed drops in half.

And when I’m using the Nighthawk, I have seamless video streaming and strong internet. With the Velocity 2 the performance is much worse, marginal at best.

So it really does make a difference to get these higher category hotspot modems if you’re planning on full-time RVing.

In fact, I would recommend that you go for the highest category modem hotspot that you can afford. The upgraded technology will be very worth the added expense!

RV Internet Service – Recommendations

Now before I leave this subject I also want to recommend one more thing. And that is that if you will be spending quite a bit of time RVing, consider having more than one cell carrier.

I found that if you work over the internet, it is almost a necessity. Especially if you have to maintain a strong internet connection no matter where you are.

Now to do that, a lot of full-timer RVers use what’s called a reseller cellular carrier plan. And that is where resellers buy cell tower space from the major cellular carriers.

Then they resell that tower usage under their own brand name. So the key there is to get a good brand of reseller that has a solid reputation for customer service.

Finally, let me arm you with one more very important piece of information. And that is how to stay current with all of the changes that continue to happen in the mobile internet field.

Fortunately, there is a website has loads of information about mobile internet for RVers. And if you get the membership to their insider information, you will never be in the dark again when the industry changes.

Just click on the link below to get information on all things related to mobile internet service. I am not affiliated with them, I just use the site for research.

Click here to find out more about the Mobile Internet Resource Center

Conclusion

In conclusion, I hope you have enjoyed this information on RV internet hotspots. I have really had to research a lot of this on my own.

And I felt that it was important to share what I have learned with others as well.

This is a very important topic for RVers, but especially for those that travel full-time or part-time.

If you have any other ideas for getting great RV internet service on the road, please comment below.

In the meantime, have safe and happy travels everyone!

Buying an RV can be very stressful. And nobody wants to make expensive RV buying mistakes.

The truth is that RVs are not like most other purchases that you will ever make. For instance, most people like to do some research before buying a vehicle or a house. And that’s a smart thing to do.

But an RV is actually both of those things. It’s a vehicle that goes down the highway. And it’s a home whenever you are camping in it.

So it calls for a special kind of knowledge to know what to look for when buying an RV. And most people just don’t have that kind of knowledge or experience at first.

And without knowing what you should be looking for, it’s so easy to buy a rig that has hidden problems. Of course, that can lead to every RV owner’s nightmare – a money pit!

So let’s talk about how you can avoid those kind of RV buying mistakes and make a good RV choice instead.

RV Decisions That Need To Be Made

Before you even start the RV buying process, there is a need to make some important decisions.

For instance, which type of RV is best suited to you and the way you like to travel and camp?

Would a motorhome like a Class A, B or C fit you best? Or maybe you would do better with a towable like a travel trailer or fifth wheel.

Then you need to decide if you will buy a new or a used RV. There are advantages and disadvantages both ways.

Also, how much maintenance and upkeep can you afford after buying the RV? Some rigs are just more expensive to care for than others.

Then when you find an RV that you really like, how do you know whether you are actually getting a good deal or not? It’s easy to spend more money than you should if you aren’t prepared.

And of course, should you get an RV inspection on every rig that you are considering? If not, when should you bring in the RV inspector in the buying process?

Expensive RV Buying Mistakes

There are lots of RV buyers that make a purchase without really knowing what they are getting. And unfortunately, that’s an expensive way to buy!

It costs more on the front end when you actually buy the rig. And it continues to cost more afterward in the form of expensive repairs on hidden problems.

And when you don’t buy the kind of RV that fits you best, you may be changing rigs again soon. In fact, some buyers go through 3 or more RVs before they finally figure out what they should have purchased first.

If you add up all of the unnecessary money spent in these areas, it can be many thousands of dollars. And the vast majority of those expenses can and should be avoided.

So is there a common sense method of RV buying and RV inspection that puts the odds on your side? That helps you avoid the most expensive RV buying mistakes?

The good news is that the answer to those questions is YES!

How To Get An RV Buying Blueprint

As a certified RV inspector, I see examples of all of these RV buying issues that I have previously mentioned regularly.

So I have written a plainspoken guide to RV buying and RV inspection that many have found helpful.

It’s called “How To Avoid Buying An RV Money Pit”, and it’s an ebook that you can download.

Watch my YouTube video about “How To Avoid Buying An RV Money Pit here

In the ebook, I first explain how to choose the right RV for your needs. This is a crucial step to make sure that you get the RV you want right away.

The ebook also has several links to videos I have made that explain the various RV types in detail. And I cover the pros and cons of each kind of RV too, as well as who should buy them.

There are also videos on whether you should buy a new or used RV too. This is a big decision for most newer RV buyers.

And I explain the best way that you educate yourself about RV prices. This is important! Because armed with the right pricing information, you can get a great deal on your next RV.

So all of this information is really a blueprint for how to buy an RV the right way. And none of it is hard or difficult to understand.

In fact, I have tried my best to make sure that the tips and information in the ebook is understandable by even RV newbies.

But now we get to one of the most important parts of the RV buying process – the RV inspection.

You Can Perform A Pre-Purchase RV Inspection

One of the biggest issues with RV inspections is knowing when to bring in the RV inspector in the buying process.

That’s because if you pay for an RV inspection for every rig that you look at, that can get expensive fast! Especially if you don’t find the right RV for you right away!

Of course, getting an RV inspection by a pro is one of the best ways to avoid RV buying mistakes. So what’s the best way to handle this issue?

My recommendation is to learn how to perform a pre-purchase RV inspection of your own. And that is one of the best advantages of getting my ebook!

Get my RV buying and RV inspection ebook guide now!

I show you step-by-step how to inspect some of the most expensive items on an RV that you are considering. And none of the personal inspection process is too technical for the average RV buyer.

So the pre-purchase inspection helps you know that the main components of the RV are functioning correctly. It therefore means that you can now seriously consider that RV for purchase.

And to help make the personal inspection even easier, I also provide you with a checklist to use as you go. So as you proceed through the inspection, you can record what you find on each part of the RV.

This becomes especially helpful if you look at several rigs before purchasing. After a while of looking at lots of RVs, they just all seem to blend together.

It’s hard then to remember exactly what you saw on each RV that you inspected. But the checklist helps organize your thoughts on each rig and easily bring them back to mind.

Do You Still Need A Professional RV Inspection?

So if you know how to make a pre-purchase RV inspection of your own, do you even need a pro inspector?

Let me say clearly that my ebook inspection guide is not meant to replace a professional RV inspection. That is not the purpose of the ebook at all.

Instead, the pre-purchase personal RV inspection helps you narrow down the RVs that are worthy of consideration. It helps you weed out right away those could likely be an RV money pit!

With those unworthy rigs out of the running, you have clearly saved yourself lots of time and money. So you are already avoiding making serious RV buying mistakes!

Then just keep looking until you find the RV that fits your needs and passes your personal inspection. When you find that RV, it can be time to call in a professional RV inspector.

Why Do You Need A Certified RV Inspector?

My ebook will help you learn about how to inspect some of the most expensive parts of an RV. And the inspections can be done by almost anyone.

But RVs are complicated things. And many of the systems on an RV need to be tested thoroughly before purchase.

The tests that need to be performed are well beyond the ability of most RV buyers. So having a well trained RV inspector’s experience is a must in these areas.

The RV inspector also will have the right equipment to inspect every part of an RV. All the way from the roof to the tires.

And the inspection that a pro will perform will be much more comprehensive and thorough.

There still may be things that the RV inspector finds that will need attention or repair. But in most cases, it will not be a deal breaker.

But by your personal inspection you have avoided calling in a pro on a rig that didn’t deserve a thorough inspection.

Avoid The Most Common RV Buying Mistakes

The biggest and most expensive RV buying mistakes are made by uninformed buyers.

They aren’t sure of what kind of RV they need or how much it will cost. And they know very little about how to spot an RV with hidden problems.

They choose an RV for purchase based mainly on the color, or the floor plan, not on its quality. Of course, appearances are important, but they shouldn’t be the sole reason for buying an RV.

With just a little knowledge imparted by someone who is a pro, the average RV buyer can make a great choice.

So be sure to get a copy of my RV ebook “How To Avoid Buying An RV Money Pit” now!

If you do, I will also make myself available to help answer any questions that you have about buying an RV. And I will help you through the personal inspection process if you feel that you need it.

As always, have safe and happy travels!